Lin Ruohuai was one step faster, grabbing Shen Qi’s wrist. He felt an unusual temperature; he initially wanted to let go, but habitually gripped tighter.
He leaned his head in, his shallow breath brushing against Shen Qi’s cheek: “You’re awake. Is there anywhere you feel uncomfortable?”
Due to his movement, the loose collar of his shirt draped down, revealing his soft chest. His skin, dry and refreshed after a bath, possessed lines that were soft and alluring—white, tender, and dotted with pink. It was soul-snatching and dangerously erotic.
The young man’s soft hair carried a faint fragrance as it fell cleanly. His black-and-white eyes held a flicker of light, filled entirely with worry for him—gentle, vivid, and beautiful.
Into Shen Qi’s scorching, burning sea of fire drifted a wisp of fragrant, fresh air. It felt as if it were rolling over him, swallowing him, soaking into his nose and mouth. He gasped heavily to draw it in, his voice so dry he couldn’t make a sound.
“Thirsty…”
Lin Ruohuai heard him and prepared some warm water. He slid his arm into the gap behind Shen Qi’s head and lifted—what a heavy head! Gritting his teeth and exerting force, he cradled Shen Qi’s upper body in his arms.
In reality, Shen Qi was semi-conscious and had no idea what he was saying, yet his head rolled haphazardly onto the youth’s chest. He instinctively and secretly buried his face there, like a wanderer in the desert seeking a water source.
Lin Ruohuai’s chest suddenly grew burning hot from the contact, but he had no way to push him away.
What’s going on? Shen Qi looks like he’s at death’s door.
Lin Ruohuai’s arms were aching. He suppressed his trembling voice and asked: “Mr. Shen, do you want more? Can I lay you back down?”
No.
The answer surfaced in the depths of Shen Qi’s heart.
At that moment, he suddenly snapped into clarity. The whites of his eyes were bloodshot, the skin around his eyes was burning hot, and his expression was dazed—yet he still stared at the person holding him with the aura of someone in power.
Who was this person?
Someone else’s person.
Someone else’s future wife…
Holding him, so unrestrained and undisciplined.
Whose fault was it? Regardless, it wasn’t the “wife’s” fault.
It was his fault.
Shen Qi tightened his grip on Lin Ruohuai’s cool-skinned arm.
It was as if some wicked thought was about to break through the shackles of morality, colliding ceaselessly in his mind. That desire, which allowed him to peek into a brand-new world, surged into his body instantly, sliding through his nerve endings into his limbs. It felt as if his soul was wandering and absorbing it; it took a long time to stabilize.
“Hey, you’re hurting me.” The mumbling, complaining voice stopped instantly, as if he were forgiving the sick man. Lin Ruohuai carefully laid Shen Qi’s head back down. Seeing him so groggy, he touched his forehead.
The heat made his palm throb.
What is this? It hit him so suddenly.
Lin Ruohuai didn’t dare delay. He tried to wipe his body down to cool him, repeatedly changing the towel. Looking down at Shen Qi’s troubled frown and trembling lashes, his movements unconsciously grew gentler.
Shen Qi was a man who was very good at hiding his emotions. Lin Ruohuai found him “novel”—he had never seen someone who stayed angry all day. But now, lying on the bed with his limbs relaxed, his breathing clearly audible, he truly felt like a living human being.
“Stop burning, come down, come down.” Lin Ruohuai muttered to himself while changing towels and wiping him.
The temperature didn’t drop.
Lin Ruohuai stood up abruptly and paced by the bed while calling Dr. Wang.
The call was answered in a second. Lin Ruohuai spoke rapidly: “Mr. Shen seems possessed; he suddenly has a high fever.”
“…What’s the temperature?”
“I used the thermometer gun; it’s 39°C. Physical cooling isn’t working, and I don’t dare use other medications randomly.”
“Keep an eye on him, I’m coming over now.” There was the sound of Dr. Wang putting on clothes and the faint sound of a door opening. A deep, steady voice came through—it was Uncle Chen.
Dr. Wang arrived promptly to give Shen Qi an IV drip, and the situation soon stabilized. The old butler wasn’t quite at ease and stayed inside to observe.
Outside the door, Wang Yisen yawned, arms crossed as he stared at the mural down the hall. The tiger descending the mountain was lifelike; it used to be a portrait of a person—when did they all change to animals?
His eyes caught the young man leaning against the railing, his arms dangling and swinging, looking sleepy and decadent.
Wang Yisen asked abruptly: “Did he wake up once?”
“Yes…”
Lin Ruohuai rubbed his fingers listlessly.
A look of confusion crossed Wang Yisen’s face. Based on Shen Qi’s reaction just now, the fever was real, but he looked like he’d been hit with a love potion—a wildfire on a prairie that couldn’t be extinguished.
“What did you give him to drink?”
“Warm water.”
“…Oh.”
I thought you drugged him.
Lin Ruohuai caught the subtle hint in his tone. He turned around and crouched on the floor: “Is he not allowed to drink water?”
Wang Yisen crouched down with him: “It’s not that. It’s just very strange. But the situation is stable now, so he should be… fine.”
“If he’s fine, he’s fine. Why are you looking at me while saying that? You’re making it sound like I caused the fever.”
Wang Yisen thought: Tsk, hard to say.
They crouched by the door, chatting sporadically. Just as they were about to fall asleep, the door opened. Lin Ruohuai was too tired to open his eyes, only sensing someone approaching.
Uncle Chen saw Wang Yisen’s head resting on Lin Ruohuai’s shoulder and immediately stepped forward to separate them without a second thought.
This won’t do. This is the Young Master’s person.
“Un… Uncle Chen…” The youth’s voice was soft and full of confusion.
“The Young Master is awake. Go in and look after him,” Uncle Chen reminded. “He only wants you.”
“Oh, oh, oh, oh…”
Lin Ruohuai rubbed his eyes and stood up unsteadily. He didn’t catch the last half of the sentence and didn’t ask; it probably wasn’t important.
When Lin Ruohuai entered the room, Shen Qi was awake.
However, the lights were dim and Lin Ruohuai’s eyelids were heavy. He fumbled his way in blindly, found his familiar spot, and slumped down—only for his arm to be suddenly lifted.
High heat enveloped his cool, elastic muscles. Lin Ruohuai lifted his head from his hands, his eyes dazed and watery, “Mr. Shen…”
He instinctively tried to struggle, but Shen Qi’s grip was heavier than ever.
“Get up here.”
The voice was thick and hoarse, sounding as if it had been torn apart.
Lin Ruohuai was stunned: “What do you mean? You want me to sleep with you?”
“You can go back.” Despite saying this, Shen Qi didn’t let go.
Lin Ruohuai felt like that patch of skin was being cooked; he felt a bit hungry. Let’s have barbecue tomorrow.
“Tonight is a special case. I have to provide close-contact care.”
“Then stay close.”
“…”
Shen Qi’s breathing grew heavy again, as if he were on the edge of a struggle. It felt as if he were one breath away from dying if Lin didn’t agree.
Lin Ruohuai remembered when they were changing clothes earlier; Shen Qi had sternly declared he didn’t like men. In that case, two men sleeping together wasn’t anything strange.
Back in his school dorm days, if the boys were having too much fun at night, they would sleep together like this. Moreover, Shen Qi’s bed was vast, flat, and soft, carrying Shen Qi’s unique scent of ink and cedar. It was very pleasant and very “sleepable”… he meant the bedding.
Lin Ruohuai couldn’t take it anymore. He let out a dancing yawn and mumbled: “Fine, let’s just make do. It’s way too late. Goodnight, Mr. Shen.”
Shen Qi kept his reddened eyes open, staring at the ceiling, feeling the movement of the youth sleeping beside him. Lin breathed as quietly as a small animal. The skin over Shen Qi’s heart felt the hottest. He whispered: “Goodnight.”
After a while, a pair of well-defined hands tucked the corner of the quilt for Lin Ruohuai.
He was sick.
Even the breath he exhaled was scorching; it was no minor illness.
Early the next morning, Lin Ruohuai’s biological clock failed for once. The surroundings were quiet. Two people lay on the large bed in well-behaved positions—one flat on his back, the other curled on his side. The room was shrouded in an atmosphere of peaceful time.
Lin Ruohuai was sleeping soundly when his calf suddenly cramped, waking him with pain. He held his calf and nursed it for a long time before sneaking out of bed.
Before leaving, he touched Shen Qi’s forehead. It wasn’t burning anymore, just a lingering warmth; it should be a low-grade fever now.
Shen Qi’s second fever had come and gone quickly, but the situation was so bizarre that Dr. Wang didn’t dare hide it. He reported it, and the Shen family soon received the news.
Shen Qi’s parents were still abroad handling business, so the only one who could visit was Shen Qingyi. However, he was tied up with company matters and could only come in the afternoon.
Dr. Wang didn’t leave; he stayed on. Shen Qi had a low fever now and didn’t need medicine or an IV—just rest. The fever would recede slowly.
After lying down for a long time, Shen Qi sat up against the headboard, looking out at the overcast sky. The autumn wind was picking up, and a restless energy was floating about. It was good weather.
Lin Ruohuai came up to deliver hot food. Placing it on the nightstand, he stared at the brown checkered shawl draped over Shen Qi’s lap. For a moment, he looked dazed.
“What are you looking at through me?”
Lin Ruohuai said unconsciously: “My grandmother. When she was sick, I took care of her just like this. She was very thin and couldn’t eat, so I had to feed her bite by bite.”
Having said that, he suddenly looked up, his eyes flickering: “Do you believe me?”
I believe you.
Like hell I do.
Lin Ruohuai’s grandmother had passed away shortly after he was born. The first time they “met” was in a photo on a tombstone. There was no such thing as a grandson caring for a bedridden grandmother.
Shen Qi said unhurriedly: “If you want to talk, then talk.”
“There’s nothing to say. She’s gone.” Lin Ruohuai’s mood plummeted.
Shen Qi frowned: “I don’t like being anyone’s substitute—man, woman, old, or young. None of it.”
Lin Ruohuai was shocked and denied it dryly: “I’m not using you as a substitute. I just remembered her occasionally.”
“Seeing the object and thinking of the person?”
“That’s right.” Lin Ruohuai admitted it generously, hiding nothing.
Shen Qi suddenly let out a cold laugh. I hope that after you break up with Xie Yusheng and dissolve the engagement, you won’t ‘see objects and think of me’ like this.
After eating, Lin Ruohuai’s expression remained dull. Since moving into the manor, even when he was scared, his face would flicker with vivid emotions; it was rare to see him with such pessimistic, negative feelings.
Shen Qi: “What’s wrong?”
“I miss my grandma.”
His nose felt sour, and he couldn’t help but let out a soft, whimpering sound.
Lin Ruohuai sniffled, tilting his head back to keep the tears from falling. After a while, he pulled his stretched neck back: “I’m so hungry. I haven’t eaten yet. I really want barbecue.”
“…”
“There’s this much soup left? Can Shen Qi finish it? I’ll handle it!”
Uncle Chen looked at the snack-stealing Wang Yisen and said: “This is for Mr. Lin.”
Speaking of which, when Wang Yisen woke up this morning, he found himself lying on the corridor floor. Although there was a climate control system and it wasn’t cold or hot, it was still quite pitiful. Why didn’t anyone carry him back to his room bridal-style? “How did you manage to kick yourself out last night and send him in?”
“The Young Master needed it.”
“He’s like half a son to you, you’ve watched him grow up. You’re actually comfortable with Lin Ruohuai’s level of ‘professionalism’? I’m impressed.” Wang Yisen spoke sarcastically. Actually, he wasn’t the only one sleeping on the corridor floor last night. Heh.
“The Young Master needed it,” the old butler said calmly.
“Uncle Chen is so considerate of the Young Master, handling everything personally. Why not take over the job of changing the bedsheets too? Otherwise, your ‘Princess and the Pea’ Young Master might have trouble sleeping.”
“I never do that work.” The old butler paused, then pondered: “Hard to say about the future.”
Wang Yisen: “?”
He held the empty bowl and weighed it: “Give me some more. He doesn’t have that big an appetite.”
Uncle Chen remained unmoved. The two stared each other down, bickering over a bit of soup. Neither was willing to yield until they heard a sound. Uncle Chen brought out the lunch he had kept warm.
Uncle Chen had a stern appearance, looking exactly like the upright, no-nonsense butlers in TV dramas. However, he was very approachable, possessing the aura of someone who had seen it all.
“Mr. Lin, have some lunch first.”
“Uncle Chen, you’re so nice. I’m starving. Mr. Shen told me to come out and eat before going back.”
Uncle Chen smiled and mentioned quite casually: “Dr. Wang wanted to eat your portion just now.”
Lin Ruohuai glared over, walking out of the kitchen with his plate in a protective stance. Wang Yisen exclaimed, “What the—you’re even food-protective now!”
Uncle Chen straightened his cuffs and had someone tidy the kitchen. Wang Yisen followed him out: “You’re even tamping him? This meal being kept for him—that couldn’t have been CEO Shen’s idea, could it?”
The old butler gave a profound smile: “As long as you know. Some things aren’t yours, so don’t touch them, or you might face bad luck one day.”
Wang Yisen smacked his lips: “Tsk. Someone who didn’t know better would think Lin Ruohuai had become your master too.”
The room fell silent for a moment, leaving only the sound of the servants cleaning the kitchen.
Wang Yisen: “Did I say something wrong? That counts as a rumor, after all, he is that person’s boyf—”
The old butler took a sip of tea: “Say whatever you like. It doesn’t matter. The Young Master is very generous.”
Due to physical reasons, the leg massage was delayed. When it was finished, it happened to be lunch break. Lin Ruohuai was granted the privilege of sleeping in Shen Qi’s large bed. Once became twice, then three and four times, until it became a habit…
Shen Qi didn’t sleep. He remained sitting at the head of the bed, handling leftover work issues. Voice and video calls were all cancelled. Shen Qi didn’t like the sound of someone else breathing nearby when he was in a meeting—it would distract him. So, he’d rather not have the meeting.
Lin Ruohuai didn’t have the habit of snoring. He was as quiet as a little cat with its tail curled up, comfortably exposing his belly.
It was the old butler who knocked on the door to announce that the Second Young Master had arrived. Lin Ruohuai stared blankly on the bed for a while before scrambling out of the room. He happened to run into Shen Qingyi coming the other way. Their eyes met, and the air filled with awkwardness.
Their identities were still awkward. On the surface, he was still Shen Qingyi’s romantic rival!
Please don’t arrange these confrontation scenes for a bystander like me. I’m not worthy.
Lin Ruohuai scratched his head: “CEO Shen, Mr. Shen’s fever just broke. You should go in and see him.”
Shen Qingyi’s gentle gaze lowered. Lin Ruohuai had just woken up; the collar of his loose T-shirt was messy, draped to one side to reveal a patch of pale, flushed skin. He moved his gaze away imperceptibly: “It’s fine. You don’t need to be so nervous. I’ll go see him.”
Lin Ruohuai breathed a sigh of relief: “I’m terribly sorry, CEO Shen.”
Seeing him keep apologizing, Shen Qingyi’s voice softened slightly: “It’s really fine. Did you just wake up?”
Lin Ruohuai nodded blankly, blurring out: “Lunch break… slept for a bit. Need energy to work in the afternoon.”
Shen Qingyi couldn’t help but chuckle: “Then go wash your face. I’m going in.”
Shen Qingyi entered the room. Lin Ruohuai stayed where he was, his mouth hanging open. Finally, his lips just touched and made a “pop” sound.
As expected of the Protagonist Shou. So gentle, kind, and beautiful. Xie Yusheng, oh Xie Yusheng, can you hurry up already?
Shen Qingyi entered and found his brother in the middle of a voice meeting. He found a seat and waited about twenty minutes for it to end.
In the video, someone suggested several reforms. Shen Qi let out a low syllable—steady, magnetic, and carrying the hoarseness of someone recently recovered.
Shen Qingyi: “Brother.”
Shen Qi looked up at him. His pale, sickly face was still sharp. Sitting motionless, from a distance he looked like a rich oil painting—noble and languid. His gaze swept over Shen Qingyi, clear and light.
Shen Qingyi was used to this pressure; his breath hitched for a moment before returning to normal: “Brother, you were very sick, so I came to see you. Mom and Dad are worried.”
“It wasn’t serious. Uncle Chen exaggerated.”
Shen Qingyi’s lips curved slightly: “Dr. Wang is a professional. What he says can’t be wrong.”
“Mhm.”
“Uncle Chen said you were caught in the rain.”
“Mhm.”
“Mr. Lin took care of you all night.”
Shen Qi’s aura paused slightly: “He slept all night.”
Shen Qingyi misheard: “What?”
“Literally.” Shen Qi curled his lips tiredly. “Did you think he was a professional?”
“…” Shen Qingyi pressed a fist to his lips. “Right, he’s not a professional. Then why do you keep him by your side? For me?”
Shen Qi didn’t deny it, remaining ambiguous: “Think what you want.”
Shen Qingyi couldn’t figure it out. He saw an indentation on the other side of Shen Qi’s bed. A certain thought emerged—could Lin Ruohuai have slept beside his brother? But there was a soft pillow placed on that expensive, heavy cashmere blanket.
Sleeping on the floor, on the bed, or both?
In any case, the fact that his brother was willing to let someone stay in his room was already a major violation of his principles.
The two brothers were close. Shen Qingyi looked at Shen Qi’s lowered lashes and the marks from the IV on the back of his hand. He asked casually: “Have you taken an interest in Lin Ruohuai?”
Shen Qi took a sip of water: “I don’t dislike him.”
Shen Qingyi continued: “So you quite like him.”
Shen Qi: “I don’t resist it.”
Shen Qingyi was very surprised, his tone complex and low: “Nominally, he is Xie Yusheng’s fiancé. The Xie family hasn’t announced the dissolution of the relationship yet.”
“So what?”
Shen Qingyi looked up sharply: “Brother?”
Shen Qi rubbed the body of the cup, his tone casual yet powerful: “If you like it, fight for it.”
For a moment, Shen Qingyi wasn’t sure if he was talking to him. However, in the next second, Shen Qi looked at him: “If you don’t work hard, how do you know if you’ll succeed?”
Shen Qingyi’s face heated up, but his heart felt as if it had been pierced. He couldn’t smile: “The thing with Gaoyi was just me helping out to go through the motions. You know that…”
Shen Qi half-closed his eyes: “Handle it yourself. As long as you’re confident.”
He added at the end: “Contact me if you need anything.”
Shen Qingyi felt a warmth in his heart, though he didn’t show it: “I ran into Lin Ruohuai at the door just now. He had just woken up…”
Recalling the scene in the corridor, Lin Ruohuai’s eyes had been dodging, and every word he spoke carried an apologetic tone.
Shen Qingyi chose a word to describe it: “The way he looked just after waking up was very cute.”
The moment the words left his mouth, a cold, warning sensation sliced down Shen Qingyi’s back. In the next second, Shen Qi slightly raised an eyebrow: “I didn’t catch that. What did you say?”
“…”
“Nothing, Brother.”
Shen Qi’s face appeared normal, but a surge of impatience rose in his eyes, bringing on a migraine: “Are you here to see me, or to see him?”
Shen Qingyi thought about it: “Both?”
Shen Qi was cold and ruthless: “If you’re done, go back to work. Don’t disturb my rest.”
“…I’m staying for dinner. Since I’m already here, let me relax, Brother.” Shen Qingyi didn’t give him a chance to refuse.
Lin Ruohuai washed his face. He didn’t go back the way he came to avoid disturbing the brothers. After circling the top floor, he went downstairs and ran into the old butler talking to the chef.
The old butler paused, stopped talking, nodded to the chef, and walked toward him.
The first thing he asked was: “Mr. Lin, did you fall asleep at noon?”
Generally, there was a lunch break, but with Shen Qi sick, special circumstances required special measures.
Lin Ruohuai was afraid his evaluation score would fail and he wouldn’t pass his probation. He grew guilty but said righteously: “How could I have fallen asleep? I’m very dedicated.”
The old butler nodded. “It’s like this: after the Second Young Master arrived, I went to the top floor without permission. I originally called you, but you didn’t answer.”
“I never play with my phone during work hours.”
Actually, he just hadn’t heard the ringtone. Someone must have hung it up for him.
Uncle Chen smiled with great poise: “Then keep it with you next time, so we can find you if something comes up.”
“Alright, alright.” Uncle Chen was tall; Lin Ruohuai tilted his neck slightly and looked past him. He whispered: “What are you preparing? Is there a party tonight?”
“Barbecue.”
Lin Ruohuai froze: “Huh?”
“The Young Master said we’ve worked hard these past few days, so he’s organizing a barbecue gathering. The Second Young Master will be there too. It’ll be lively with more people.”
Lin Ruohuai hesitated. He couldn’t blame himself for overthinking—he’d said he wanted barbecue this morning, and now Shen Qi was preparing it in the evening. Was it such a coincidence… or was it because he knew Shen Qingyi was coming?
It should be that.
No, not should, it was that.
Lin Ruohuai felt a stir in his heart: “Is Mr. Shen coming?”
The old butler shook his head: “He never participates in employee activities. He doesn’t like crowds.”
“Did he like them before?” Lin Ruohuai curled his fingers behind his back and stood on his tiptoes, a sense of curiosity blooming instinctively.
The old butler looked at him and said nothing.
Lin Ruohuai’s shoulders slumped, and he gave a sheepish smile: “I overstepped.”
The old butler: “You can ask. The Eldest Young Master is the same as before. Aside from family gatherings, he rarely attends anything unless a business activity requires his presence. He is a very career-oriented person.”
Lin Ruohuai remembered some gossip he’d seen on a tabloid account: “Because of the inheritance rights? I read it in the news. Sorry, I’m just gossiping.”
These matters were common knowledge. The old butler smiled profoundly, the corners of his eyes crinkling into charming lines. “If you want to know, you can ask the Young Master. He will surely tell you everything.”
Lin Ruohuai waved his hand and said with principle: “I wouldn’t dare. I don’t dare eat this gossip in front of the source.”
This wasn’t flattery; it was true. Lin Ruohuai always felt that someone like Shen Qi wasn’t in the same dimension as him, the butler, or even Shen Qingyi and Xie Yusheng.
Shen Qi stood on this rich, fertile land, and everywhere he looked was glamorous; not a speck of dust could enter his eyes. He was high and mighty, and although he was disabled, it didn’t affect him at all. He even gave off the illusion that he might ascend to immortality at any moment.
Compared to everyone else being “tool characters,” Shen Qi was more like a bystander NPC assigned by the world system in a novel—once the task was done, he would disappear automatically. And that was how the novel ended; after Shen Qi finished his role as a wingman, he went abroad and didn’t even attend the wedding of Shen Qingyi and Xie Yusheng.
Lin Ruohuai was more “grounded,” enjoying food and fun, possessing common human desires.
Just as Lin Ruohuai thought the afternoon would be idle and sat on the sofa having just finished downloading a few gigabytes of games, a maid in a dress ran in. She said to the old butler: “A guest has arrived, but we didn’t invite him. Should we let him in?”
Her tone was cautious, as if it were some important figure. Uncle Chen was also stunned: “Who?”
“That Young Master from the Xie family.”
Uncle Chen: “…”
Lin Ruohuai: “…”
Xie Yusheng had come uninvited. He wore a casual deep red suit jacket with the shirt collar slightly open. Stripped of ornate decorations, he looked clean and handsome.
He waved off the old butler: “No need to follow me. Let Lin Ruohuai find me. Come here, what are you standing there for?”
Lin Ruohuai put down his phone, his mouth twitching: “What are you doing here?”
“Chairman Shen is sick. As a junior from a partner company, why can’t I come visit?” Xie Yusheng smiled chillingly.
Given the Xie family’s status, the old butler couldn’t stop him. Lin Ruohuai could only lead him up. He couldn’t imagine what kind of “crematorium” scene was about to happen in that room.
What a legend.
The manor was full of surveillance. Lin Ruohuai glanced at them repeatedly out of the corner of his eye. Xie Yusheng didn’t look at him once; Lin figured he was here to find Shen Qingyi.
Lin Ruohuai tsk’ed internally. As long as I don’t get caught in the crossfire.
Uncle Chen had already explained the situation to Shen Qi via phone. Thus, the two Shen brothers weren’t shocked by Xie Yusheng’s appearance. One lying, one sitting, two standing—one in front and one behind. The atmosphere instantly became tense.
Lin Ruohuai lingered by the door, wanting to find an excuse to leave. How was he worthy of participating in this scene? Unexpectedly, Shen Qi suddenly patted the edge of the bed: “Come here. You’ve been gone for ages. Where did you go?”
“…”
Did you tell me to come up? Did you? Why do you sound like you’re checking in on me? People would think I was slacking off!
I was being so considerate, leaving space for you two brothers to talk.
Lin Ruohuai quickly curled his lip and walked over: “I was helping Uncle Chen and the others prepare the ingredients for the barbecue tonight.”
Shen Qi caught the curve of his lip and smirked: “You don’t like it?”
Lin Ruohuai was stunned. Wait, was it really prepared for me?
“I like it.”
“If you like it, then be more obedient.”
“…I haven’t been disobedient, have I? I’m very good.”
Shen Qingyi said nothing, his gaze sweeping between the two. A strange feeling rose in his heart. Before he could ponder it, he looked up and found Xie Yusheng staring at him fixedly.
Xie Yusheng narrowed his eyes. Shen Qingyi turned his head away.
Xie Yusheng held his breath and walked to his side. He heard Shen Qi say: “Manager Xie, how do you have time to visit?”
Xie Yusheng remained expressionless and said steadily: “I heard Chairman Shen was unwell. We just reached a cooperation recently, so to show sincerity, I came to visit.”
The words were for Shen Qi, but his eyes were on Shen Qingyi.
Shen Qi said nonchalantly: “I’m not very well-acquainted with Manager Xie, and I haven’t participated in the new project.”
An immediate, ruthless exposure.
Xie Yusheng’s face didn’t change as he said leisurely: “I came to see my boyfriend. Is he happy working here?”
The room became even more tense; you could hear a pin drop.
Shen Qi hooked his lip: “Is that so? He is very good. I am very satisfied.”
Xie Yusheng’s hand at his side clenched into a fist: “The person I chose is, of course, good in every way.”
Lin Ruohuai looked speechless and squinted at him—Are you insane? With that attitude, you want a wife? You won’t catch one in eight lifetimes.
Xie Yusheng gave him the “dead fish eye”—Can you even act? Do you want your commission or not?
Lin Ruohuai rubbed his forehead—I beg you. I don’t know what I’m begging for, but I beg you.
Shen Qingyi suddenly looked at Xie Yusheng: “Is your eye cramping?”
Xie Yusheng instantly came back to life from his dead state: “Are you saying that to me?”
Shen Qingyi: “My brother is resting here.”
The implication was: Don’t act out.
Xie Yusheng suddenly felt aggrieved and resentful. You think I wanted to come? I came to see you! Who wants to see this old man Shen Qi?
Shen Qingyi pursed his lips and stood up: “I’ll go see if there’s anything I like to eat tonight.”
Before leaving, Shen Qingyi said: “Don’t follow me.”
Xie Yusheng almost lost his breath. He looked at the door gloomily, like a stray dog.
Lin Ruohuai watched with wide eyes. He said don’t follow, and you really don’t? Do you even know how to be a dog?
He gestured wildly at Xie Yusheng: Go on!
Xie Yusheng suddenly looked at Shen Qi cautiously, expressing concern—Are you being bullied here?
Lin Ruohuai shook his head.
Xie Yusheng was about to speak and leave.
Shen Qi made a move to get out of bed. Lin Ruohuai was startled and pressed down on his shoulder. Xie Yusheng watched their instinctive physical contact, his brow darkening: “Chairman Shen, it’s a rare visit. I’ll go down and take a look. I won’t disturb your rest.” Although he was confused, chasing his “wife” was more important.
Shen Qi’s palm pressed gently against Lin Ruohuai’s back: “He’s leaving. Xiao Huai, say goodbye.”
Lin Ruohuai felt the spot on his back that he’d touched tingling. After the others left, he asked: “Where were you trying to go just now? Are you tired?”
Only the two of them remained in the room. Their bodies were close, and their humid breaths intertwined in the air.
Shen Qi glanced at him.
“You two were making eyes at each other right in front of me, totally lost in your own world. If I didn’t leave, it would seem like I, Shen Qi, was heartless.”
“…………”
Lin Ruohuai caught the mockery in his tone. Thinking it was a warning, he immediately cleared himself: “I was by your side the whole time. When did that happen?”
Oh, so it happens in private. They can act within the range where I can’t see.
Shen Qi was extremely calm, stating facts: “Didn’t you hear? He came to see you.”
No, it was Shen Qingyi.
Lin Ruohuai looked down at him: “Of course not. He came to see you, and also to see his ex-boyfriend CEO Shen. Lastly, he came to see me in passing.”
Shen Qi said nothing, his gaze lingering on his rosy lips. He said slowly: “Is he here to see you? Are you happy?”
Lin Ruohuai’s hair hung down softly, looking very submissive: “I grew up with him. Our relationship is closer than others; it’s normal for him to care about me.”
Shen Qi raised his eyelids: “Do you like him a lot?”
Lin Ruohuai opened his mouth. Not really, but he certainly couldn’t say that.
After three seconds of hesitation, he was interrupted by Shen Qi: “…I don’t want to know.”
Then I won’t say it.
The air pressure around Shen Qi suddenly plummeted into gloom. He closed his eyes and tilted his head, resting it against Lin Ruohuai’s shoulder. His breath—warmer than a normal person’s—blew against the delicate neck, causing waves of tingles.
Lin Ruohuai stood like a wooden statue. “Are you feeling unwell somewhere? I’ll get Dr. Wang up here.”
Shen Qi sneered: “I almost forgot about him.”
Everyone’s eyes would easily land on Lin Ruohuai, as if something were attracting them to explore him.
Shen Qi frowned, his hot fingertips pinching Lin Ruohuai’s small, rounded chin, forcing him to look down into his eyes.
The youth’s bright, watery black eyes stared at him in confusion, looking frightened and not even daring to resist. But soon, he was pondering something, seemingly adapting to his next move. He was very clever.
Shen Qi dropped a sentence out of the blue: “You might not pass the fifteen-day probation period.”
Lin Ruohuai reacted strongly: “Why?! Is my work attitude not good enough?!”
“Uncle Chen gives me high scores every time.”
“We signed a contract. You can’t just fail me whenever you want; there has to be a reason. You’re violating labor laws.”
Lin Ruohuai felt uneasy all over: “Are you picking on me on purpose? I don’t think I have any problems.”
Shen Qi let go, his hand resting expressionlessly on his shoulder. He seemed to enjoy the fact that Lin Ruohuai had such a strong reaction to his words—no one else did, not even Xie Yusheng.
The noise made the deathly quiet house feel alive, like a fish jumping out of the water, splashing everywhere—like a ray of sunlight piercing through the clouds to land on his eyelids.
Shen Qi’s tone was flat: “You passed.”
“Huh?” Lin Ruohuai was bewildered.
Shen Qi repeated calmly: “You passed probation.”
Lin Ruohuai stared blankly at the crown of his head. His hair was thick and dark. He wiped the sweat from his forehead: “Why? You weren’t testing my attitude, were you?”
He mumbled the last part with a hint of guilt.
“The noise is annoying me.”
“…”
Lin Ruohuai was at a loss for words. It’s said that once rich people satisfy their material needs, their spirits become hard to fulfill—lacking love and companionship, they easily develop problems. Truly, the sayings weren’t wrong.
At that moment, the old butler knocked on the door. “Master Shen Heyu is here to visit, and he’d also like to catch up with Mr. Lin.”
Lin Ruohuai was shocked, pointing at himself: “Me?”
What is with today? So many people—is this a mass gathering?
The old butler nodded.
Shen Qi’s expression was calm as he lifted his head from Lin Ruohuai’s shoulder.
One after another, they were all striving to get close to his place, as if he had some great treasure here.
Shen Qingyi, Xie Yusheng, Shen Heyu… who else?
He used to be in the top three; now he was only fourth.
In the long silence, as Lin Ruohuai was about to stand up, his wrist was pressed down. Shen Qi was not polite to his own family: “Don’t let him up.”
The old butler looked straight ahead: “Understood.”
After the butler left, Shen Qi’s brow was gloomy, his lashes casting beautiful shadows beneath his eyes. The soft, narrow wrist under his palm moved restlessly. Just as he was about to let go, he heard the person beside him grumble.
“You’re pressing my hand until it hurts.”
Shen Qi’s nerve endings tightened, his logic pulling in two directions—painful yet pleasurable: “Being coquettish?”
Lin Ruohuai shook his head like a rattle: “No, no, no.”
The room suddenly fell silent, making it feel a bit oppressive.
Lin Ruohuai licked his lips, afraid of a misunderstanding. This was way scarier than dating Xie Yusheng. He hurried to explain: “How would I dare? I’m just here to work and take care of you. I just want to earn money. Mr. Shen, I promise I have no other intentions. If you don’t believe me, I can swear. If I do, let me be struck by—”
“Lin Ruohuai.”
Interrupted mid-vow, Shen Qi’s hot palm rested on Lin Ruohuai’s warm nape, giving it a gentle squeeze. His voice was thick, hoarse, and very low. Lin Ruohuai couldn’t help but lean in to listen.
“Coquettishness is part of the bonus.”